Psychology Professor Selected for UT System’s Elite Academy

Dr. Salena Brody, a professor of instruction in psychology at The University of Texas at Dallas, has been tapped to join the UT System Academy of Distinguished Teachers. She is one of four new fellows of the academy, which recognizes extraordinary educators throughout the UT System’s academic institutions.

“I think these are my people, and I’m so excited to be invited,” said Brody, who is also an assistant director of the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). “The academy celebrates innovation. I look forward to being in a space with so much excitement, enthusiasm and energy around teaching.”

The academy was created in 2012 to advocate at the system level for innovation in the classroom, interdisciplinary perspectives on education and sharing of best practices. Prospective fellows must previously have received a UT System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, an honor that Brody received last year.

Brody, who joined UT Dallas in 2005, received the President’s Teaching Excellence Award in Undergraduate Instruction from UTD in 2022 and the Aage Møller Teaching Award from the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences in 2021.

A social psychologist, Brody teaches a variety of courses including the Psychology of Prejudice, Workplace Psychology, Mass Communication and Behavior, Introduction to Psychology, and Intergroup Emotion and Social Change. Her research interests include intergroup contact, cross-group friendships and prejudice reduction. In the CTL, she specializes in inclusive pedagogy.

“Dr. Brody is recognized by undergraduate students, graduate teaching assistants, faculty colleagues and administrators for her consistently strong and innovative classroom teaching, as well as her impactful mentoring and leadership.”

Dr. Shayla Holub, psychology department head in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Brody traces one of her teaching philosophies to a line she heard years ago at a new faculty orientation.

“A presenter referred to faculty members as directors of first impressions,” she said. “I’ve always aspired to go beyond that to being a director of lasting impressions, to create transformative experiences in the classroom. I want the 15 weeks I spend with students to be something that will stick with them; change the way they see the world; give them access to new perspectives, resources and identities.”

When she started as a teaching assistant, Brody said she quickly had to overcome her fears about sharing her point of view.

“People can learn how to be brave. What you say won’t always land perfectly, but it’s OK to say it anyway,” she said. “As a teacher, it’s not just about me and the way I’m saying something. It’s about reading the room; it’s a two-way street. Your students want you to be successful in what you’re doing, so that they’re more successful in turn.”

Brody said her teaching style has evolved gradually over time as she became more at ease with her role.

“I was more rigid when I started than I am now. There is a luxury at this stage in being able to be more flexible — to be my fully goofy self, comfortable in my skin,” she said. “New teachers should know that they will figure out their teaching voice as they teach more, and that it might change a lot over time.”

The core element of many of Brody’s courses is student discussion, and she has developed a few techniques to encourage participation.

“I try to pull students aside or send them a little note that says, ‘What you have to say is valuable. It would really benefit the other students to learn from you,’” she said. “Sometimes after I’ve seen a student be brave, I’ll send them an email that says, ‘So glad that you spoke up. Keep doing it. We all benefit when you speak up.’”

She also prompts students after some classes, asking about what has stayed on their minds as they leave.

“As a way to help students deepen what they’ve learned in class, I tend to ask, ‘What will you keep thinking about? What’s the takeaway today?’” she said.

Psychology department head Dr. Shayla Holub said she was “thrilled, but not surprised” by Brody’s selection to the academy.

“Dr. Brody is recognized by undergraduate students, graduate teaching assistants, faculty colleagues and administrators for her consistently strong and innovative classroom teaching, as well as her impactful mentoring and leadership,” Holub said. “I often say that one of my most significant contributions during my tenure as department head was paving the way so that Dr. Brody could become a full-time faculty member at UT Dallas. I feel lucky to have her as a colleague and friend.”

Indeed, Brody credits her success to the institution and employees around her, including her department head.

“Shayla Holub is the reason I work here. She is so supportive of any initiative I’ve wanted to try. She’s such a special leader. I owe her a real debt of gratitude for helping me be the best teacher I can be,” Brody said.